The Australian Government wants secure digital IDs to be available across the economy.
Australia’s Digital ID System is about:
- less data being shared, stored and at risk of being stolen.
- making sure there are more accredited providers to choose from
- expanding the existing government system to more services.
We’re also working to make Digital ID more accessible to all Australians by focusing on inclusion. It's about understanding and reducing existing barriers related to accessibility, digital ability and affordability.
Our partners and supporting agencies
Australia’s Digital ID System reflects collaboration of government agencies.
Our partners and supporting agencies are:
- The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
- Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
- Office of the System Administrator
- Services Australia
- Treasury's Data Standards Body (DSB)
- The Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
For more information on each agency’s role within Australia’s Digital ID System, please see our page on how Digital ID works.
Department of Finance
The Department of Finance owns and leads the Digital ID program for government. Finance’s role focuses on setting the policy direction for Digital ID.
Our executive team
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First Assistant Secretary, John Shepherd PSMJohn Shepherd is the First Assistant Secretary for the Digital ID and Data Policy Division at the Department of Finance. He leads the work to develop a comprehensive, economy-wide system for Digital ID. This includes the introduction of the Digital ID Act 2024 and the establishment of the Digital ID Regulator. John has led many reform initiatives to reduce the burden on businesses and households of completing surveys in his role as General Manager at the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). He also lead significant change programs at the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), including the implementation of Single Touch Payroll. John was awarded a Public Service Medal (PSM) in the 2022 Australia Day Honours list. |
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Assistant Secretary, Duncan AndersonDuncan Anderson is the Assistant Secretary for the Digital ID Legislation and Rules Branch at the Department of Finance. In this role, he leads the development of new legislation to support the expansion of Australia’s Digital ID System. Duncan has over a decade of experience in identity policy working across the Commonwealth and states and territories. He has held leadership roles in the NSW Government as co-chair of the NSW Identity Security Council. Duncan has led policy teams within the Department of Home Affairs, Attorney-General’s Department and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet advising ministers and prime ministers on a range of law enforcement, national security and related issues. |
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Assistant Secretary, Penelope JonesPenelope Jones is the Assistant Secretary for the Digital ID Communication, Inclusion and Governance branch at the Department of Finance. In this role, Penelope leads national communications on Australia’s Digital ID System and oversees system governance. Working with community sector leaders, she works to maximise the inclusiveness of Australia’s Digital ID System. Penelope has also worked in post-crisis Timor-Leste and Haiti as a diplomat and then an aid worker. A University Medallist, she holds a Master of Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development from the Australian National University. Penelope has served in a range of public service leadership roles. She has also recently served as a Board Chair at Beryl Women Inc., Australia’s longest-running women’s refuge. |
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Assistant Secretary, Matt SedgwickMatt Sedgwick is the Assistant Secretary for the Digital ID Policy at the Department of Finance. He handles the development and implementation of strategies to ensure a secure, convenient, voluntary and inclusive Digital ID. His focus is on the collaboration between government entities, private sector stakeholders and the community to create robust Digital ID solutions that protect people’s privacy. Matt has over 17 years’ experience in the public service and was the Assistant Secretary in the Digital Technology Taskforce at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C). He has also held roles at the Department of the Treasury. |
